Choose Rotary or Don't Choose at All.

Imagine packing up all of your belongings, saying goodbye to your family and friends and leaving for the unknown.

Now, imagine doing this at the ripe age of 15.

In august 2006, I left everything I had ever known and embarked on the greatest journey of my life. I was a foreign exchange student in the country of Denmark for 10 months, and enjoyed every minute of it. During my year abroad, I learned so much about Denmark, my own country, and myself. After my once in a lifetime experience, it seemed that everyone around me was asking me for advice on youth exchange programs and that I had become the expert.

Well, I am not sure if I am an expert or not, but considering this is something that is truly dear to my heart, I decided to change the pace of my regular blogs and write a review of the three leading high school foreign exchange programs while focusing on Rotary Youth Exchange, since it was the organization I went through.

WARNING: I am completely biased, as I am an advocate for the organization (Rotary) that I went through.

Revolution, Revolution for Who?

In a time when “revolution” seems to be the headline in every news story, it’s impossible not to think that anything is achievable. So thought the women of Egypt after successfully overthrowing their dictator earlier this year. With a sense of invincibility in mind, Egyptian women understood the importance of defining their place in the re-construction of the new government and took matters into their own hands. If there was going to be change and progression for the country, then this meant that there would be change for everyone, including women. On International Women’s Day, March 8, 2011, Egyptian women gathered at Tahrir Square for the “Million Women March”.

Women arrived at Tahrir Square believing that their demonstrations would have the same influence that the earlier protests for democracy had had, but their confidence was quickly shaken away when the demonstrators were sent home by violent anti-feminist.

“They said that our role was to stay home and raise presidents, not to run for president,” said Farida Helmy, a 24-year old journalist, according to a, March 8, 2011, article in the Globe and Mail.

Say Adios to Mexico

As the time for Spring Break arrives we can’t help but think about getting into beach-body shape, going shopping for the hottest swimsuit, or buying a Sombrero. Unfortunately, due to horrible circumstances, this year’s Spring Break plans do not include party cities like Cancun, Cabo, or Acapulco.

                                            (Photo: San Marcos Mercury)

Our many winter daydreams about the day that we will finally be doing beer-bongs and drinking margaritas in the hot Mexican sun have been crushed by the growing violence in Mexico. The Texas Department of Public Safety is warning students to not head down to Mexico for Spring Break this year.

Just in 2010 alone, 65 Americans were killed in Mexico. As the drug cartels get a greater hold of the country and the situation gets worse, the possibility of this year’s numbers surpassing 2010’s is feared, but predicted.

Many universities around the nation are also warning their students that the reward is not worth the risk when it comes to this particular situation. The University of Texas at Austin recently sent out an email informing students of the Texas Department of Public Safety warning, which also included some helpful tips, like registering at the U.S. Embassy.

As a result, many U.S. college students have thus chosen to go to U.S. Spring Break hot spots like South Padre Island, Panama City Beach, and Gulf Shores. Still, however, many are upset by the idea that MTV will now have to relocate to a 21 and up environment. The underage drinkers have to resort to being sneaky about their partying or simply enjoy an alcohol-free vacation and wait until things get better in Mexico, where the drinking age is 18.

Hopefully, Mexico’s war with drugs ends soon so the country can go back to being the peaceful, fun and beautiful Mexico that is should be, but for now we must enjoy American sand during Spring Break.